Regional Sea Conventions MPAs

The dataset on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) established under the framework of the Regional Sea Conventions (RSCs) was created in 2023 by Cogea for the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). It is based on spatial data provided by HELCOM (HELCOM_MPAs_2019_2), by SPA/RAC and MedPAN through the MAPAMED database (MAPAMED_SPAMI_2019_edition_version_2), and by OSPAR (OSPAR_MPAs_202107_001). It is available for viewing and download on EMODnet web portal (Human Activities, https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu/en/human-activities). The dataset displays all the MPAs as officially reported by the respective Contracting Parties to the Helsinky Convention, to the Barcelona Convention and to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic. The RSCs MPAs are established in order to promote the cooperation in the management and conservation of natural areas, as well as in the protection of threatened species and their habitats. Each RSC MPA may be established in the marine and coastal zones subject to the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Parties and in areas situated partly or wholly on the high sea. Thus, the dataset covers the MPAs Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) and the MPAs in following countries: Albania, Algeria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Monaco, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom. Where available each polygon has the following attributes: code, name (english and/or original), designation, country, status (adopted/designated, managed or partly managed, proposed), establishement year, area sqkm (reported, calculated), marine area sqkm (reported, calculated) management authorithy, site link. For further information please visit the data providers websites. This dataset covers the last updated versions in the 2021 and 2022.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Original title
Original abstract
Topic category
  • protected_areas
Sub category Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI)
Resource language English
Domain area
  • european_seas
Owner EMODnet
Provider EMODnet
Data portal EMODnet Map Viewer
Presentation form Map (map represented in raster or vector form)
Spatial representation Vector - polygon
Coordinate reference system
    Web services
    • OGC-WMS
    • OGC-WFS
    Derives from
    Derived datasets
    Successor of
    Predecessor of
    Temporal extent
    Spatial extent
    Data accessibility
    Validation level Official data
    Additional information
    Metadata completeness Complete
    Notes

    Additional info - MSP - Environment

    Species, habitats, ecosystems, pressures

    Field Value
    MSFD Classes
      MSFD Descriptors/Criteria
        Non MSFD Classes
          WFD

            Additional info - MSP - Oceanographic and CC

            Physics, biochemistry, EOV, ECV

            Field Value
            Variables

              Additional info - MSP - Conservation

              Protected areas, OECM, IBA, EBSA, CCH, IMMA, ...

              Field Value
              Types Regionally designated Protected Areas (marine and coastal)
              Zonation No

              Additional info - MSP - Maritime activities

              Aquaculture, fishing, transport, energy, ...

              Field Value
              Activity types

                Additional info - MSP - Coastal & Land use and planning

                Land use, land cover, planning (strategic, coordination, operational)

                Field Value
                Types

                  Additional info - MSP - Socio-economic

                  Living and non-living resources, shipping, tourism, energy, ...

                  Field Value
                  Activity types
                    Value types
                      Categories

                        Additional info - MSP - Ecosystem Services

                        Provisioning, regulation & maintenance, cultural

                        Field Value
                        CICES classes

                          Additional info - MSP - Legal, Governance & Planning

                          Strategic, legislation, planning, administrative, enforcement

                          Field Value
                          Themes
                            Functions
                              Who is in charge?

                              Additional info - MSP - Relevance

                              Relevance of the dataset / resource in supporting the MSP process at different spatial scales and temporal frames

                              Field Value
                              Relevance (spatial and temporal)
                              • International - present - High
                              • International - future - High
                              • National - present - High
                              • National - future - High
                              • Sub-area - present - High
                              • Sub-area - future - High
                              • Local - present - High
                              • Local - future - High